Method and apparatus for controlling images with image projection lighting devices

ABSTRACT

A lighting system includes a central controller and multiparameter lights, including IPLDs. A display of the multiparameter lights at the central controller includes the IPLDs and their image parameters, which are used to evoke a display of graphics tools at the central controller for originating images. Images originating at the central controller are transmitted to the IPLDs either by or under control of the central controller. The graphics tools may also be able to manipulate images. The central controller is provided with one or more image editors, which include the graphics tools. The outputs of the image editors, which are referred to as “image banks,” are routed to multiple multiparameter lights (including IPLDs) in accordance with assignments made by the operator of the central controller. The central controller also uses a collage display screen of a collage generator to allow the operator to select an image to collage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lighting systems, and more particularlyto the control of images in a lighting system that includesmultiparameter lights having an image projection lighting parameter.

2. Description of the Related Art

Lighting systems are formed typically by interconnecting many lightfixtures by a communications system and providing for operator controlfrom a central controller. Such lighting systems may containmultiparameter light fixtures, which illustratively are light fixtureshaving individually remotely adjustable parameters such as beam size,color, shape, angle, and other light characteristics. Multiparameterlight fixtures are widely used in lighting industry because theyfacilitate significant reductions in overall lighting system size andpermit dynamic changes to the final lighting effect. Applications andevents in which multiparameter light fixtures are used to greatadvantage include showrooms, television lighting, stage lighting,architectural lighting, live concerts, and theme parks. Illustrativemulti-parameter light devices are disclosed in the product brochureentitled “The High End Systems Product Line 2001” and are available fromHigh End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex.

To program the multiparameter lights, the operator inputs to a keyboardof the lighting central controller (or central controller) to sendcommands over the communications system to vary the parameters of thelights. When the operator of the lighting central controller has set theparameters of the multiparameter lights to produce the desired effect,the operator has produced a “scene.” Each scene with its correspondingparameter values is then stored in the memory of the central controllerfor later recall by the operator or as an automated recall. As many as100 or more scenes may be put together to make a “show”.

Prior to the advent of relatively small commercial digital controllers,remote control of light fixtures from a central controller was done witheither a high voltage or low voltage current; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.3,706,914, issued Dec. 19, 1972 to Van Buren, and U.S. Pat. No.3,898,643, issued Aug. 5, 1975 to Ettlinger. With the widespread use ofdigital computers, digital serial communications has been adopted as away to achieve remote control; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,139,issued Jun. 13, 1978 to Symonds et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,227,issued Sep. 29, 1987 to Callahan.

A multiparameter light has several parameters that can be adjusted byremote control. A central controller is used in combination with acommunication system to remotely control the multiparameter lights.Typically, the central controller is programmed in advance by anoperator to control the lighting system. An example of a widely usedcentral controller for multiparameter lights is the Whole Hog II, whichis manufactured by Flying Pig Systems of 53 Northfield Road, London W139SY, and disclosed in a product brochure entitled “Whole Hog II,Lighting Control Workstation” available from Flying Pig Systems.Examples of some of the parameters that can be remotely controlled areposition, color, pattern, iris, dimming, and shutter to name a few.Multiparameter lights can have over 12 parameters that are controlled bythe central controller. Each multiparameter light can be set to respondto a specific address in the protocol used over the digital serialcommunication system. Typically the multiparameter light is firstaddressed by an operator of the central controller and next a parameterof the multiparameter light is adjusted from the central controller bythe operator.

Multiparameter lights typically use metal or glass masks to act as aslide for the projection of an image. The metal or glass masks made forthe lights are referred to in the industry as “gobos”. Typically a gobois placed into the light path within the housing of the multiparameterlight by a motor or other type of actuator. The actuator turns a wheelreferred to as a “gobo wheel” that contains multiple apertures, and eachaperture contains a gobo that can be placed into the light path. Theactuator is controlled by the electronic system of the multiparameterlight in response to commands received over the communication systemfrom the central controller. Each gobo aperture in some multiparameterlights can rotate the gobo itself in the path of the light. Additionaldescription of gobo technology can be found in my U.S. Pat. No.5,402,326 entitled “Gobo holder for a lighting system,” which issuedMar. 28, 1995.

A type of advanced multiparameter light fixture which is referred toherein as an image projection lighting device (“IPLD”) uses a lightvalve to project images onto a stage or other projection surface. Alight valve, which is also known as an image gate, is a device such as adigital micro-mirror (“DMD”) or a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) thatforms the image that is projected. Other types of light valves are LCOSand MEMS. U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,958, issued May 2, 2000 to Hunt, disclosesa pixel based gobo record control format for storing gobo images in thememory of a light fixture. The gobo images can be recalled and modifiedfrom commands sent by the control console. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,868,issued Nov. 3, 1998 to Hutton, discloses storing video frames as cueslocally in a lamp, and supplying them as directed to the image gate toproduce animated and real-time imaging. A single frame can also bemanipulated through processing to produce multiple variations.Alternatively, a video communication link can be employed to supplycontinuous video from a remote source.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,485, issued Oct. 27, 1998 to Hewlett, discloses theuse of a camera with a DMD equipped lighting fixture for the purpose offollowing the shape of the performer and illuminating the performerusing a shape that adaptively follows the performer's image. The cameraacquiring the image preferably is located at the lamp illuminating thescene in order to avoid parallax. The image can be manually investigatedat each lamp or downloaded to some central processor for this purpose.This results in a shadowless follow spot.

Since multiparameter light fixtures of the type that project an imageusing a gobo typically use gobo wheels to place various gobos into thelight path, and since a gobo wheel typically has several positions, itis common for the central controller to display to the operator aposition number of the gobo wheel on some type of visual display device.The visual display device may be a CRT monitor or LCD touch screen orthe like. The gobo parameter selectively varied with the use of the gobowheel of the prior art typically is referred to as the gobo parameter orgobo position parameter.

FIG. 1 shows a central controller 110 and multiparameter lightingdevices 120 and 122 of the gobo type. A display device 150, a keyboard140 for entering control commands, and control input devices 145 areshown as part of the central controller 110. A communications line 116interconnects the central controller to the multiparameter lightingdevice 120. Communications line 121 is connected between light 120 andlight 122 so that light 122 can also receive communications from thecentral controller 110. Only two multiparameter lighting devices areshown in FIG. 1 although it is known in the art to interconnect 30 ormore devices for larger shows.

Multiparameter lights 120 and 122 have several parameters that can beadjusted from the central controller 110. For simplification, lights 120and 122 are considered the same fixture type and include the followingvariable parameters: pan, tilt, color, gobo, gobo rotate, and intensity.The operator of the central controller sets the correct fixture typewithin the central controller software, and sets up the centralcontroller to control the two lights 120 and 122.

FIG. 2 shows a condensed version of a display screen 200 (analogous tothe display device screen 150 of FIG. 1) for scene one. With the displayscreen 200 the parameters of the lights 120 and 122 may be varied. Theoperator may move a cursor on the display screen 200 using, for-example,any suitable input device (not shown) to select the line of theparameter of the specific fixture to be varied. The operator may alsouse one of the input devices 145 or keyboard 140 to vary the selectedparameter. When the operator has adjusted all of the desired parametersof the lights, the operator has created a scene. Next the operator mayadvance the screen to the next scene and adjust the parameters. Once thedesired number of scenes have been created, the operator may recall thescenes during a live performance or show to obtain a pleasing visualeffect.

The parameter information shown on the visual display screen 200 iscondensed for simplicity. Typically, a display would include many morefixtures of different fixture types. It is also known to display theduration time of a scene and any crossfade time between scenes. Forexample the time that a first scene fades into a second scene.

A typical example of how the visual display of the gobo wheel positionnumber may be used by the operator during advanced programming of thecentral controller is as follows. The operator first selects theoperating address of one of the multiparameter light fixtures to modifya parameter. Next the operator modifies the chosen parameter. Forexample, the operator sees on the display device screen a list ofparameters that can be selected for modification of the particular lightchosen, and then selects a parameter to modify such as “color wheel.” Ifthe color wheel happens to have ten apertures to choose from, theoperator may choose aperture 3 which happens to be green. The operatormay continue the programming by addressing other multiparameter lightsand change the color parameter to aperture 3 or even other apertures.The operator typically sees the aperture number on the visual displaydevice screen, but might instead see the colors of the apertures insteadof just numbered apertures if the central controller has in its memorythe “fixture type” for the particular light being controlled. Centralcontrollers like the Whole Hog II are capable of pre-storing “fixturetypes” in the controllers memory. A fixture type is all the particularattributes of a specific manufacturers brand or model of multiparameterlight.

Unfortunately, one problem with displaying aperture colors frominformation pre-stored at the central controller arises when, forexample, a service technician removes the green color filter of aperture3 of a specific fixture type and replaces it with a custom color. Nowunless the fixture type information is updated at the centralcontroller, the visual display device screen at the central controllerwill still show green for aperture 3 instead of the custom color.

Gobo wheel aperture selection in the prior art has problems similar tothose involved in color wheel aperture selection as described above. Thegobos that are mounted to the gobo wheel apertures of a particularfixture type do not change unless a service technician exchanges a gobofrom one of the apertures with a custom gobo that may have beenspecified by the operator or show lighting designer. The gobo patternimages of the prior art cannot be changed to different patternselectronically like images can be changed when IPLD lighting deviceschange images using light valves.

The use of IPLDs in a lighting system avoids some of the problems withthe types of multiparameter lights that use color wheels and gobos butintroduces new problems. Unlike multiparameter lights that have a fixednumber of gobos that the operator can easily choose from whenprogramming an IPLD from a central controller, IPLD lighting devices arecapable of being used to project a wide range of different images, someof which may be pre-stored internally but some of which may not bepre-stored. The techniques used by conventional central controllers toprogram multiparameter lights do not work as effectively as might bedesired for programming IPLD lighting devices. Moreover, while the typeof light fixture that provides a shadowless follow spot function andother types of light fixture that similarly store images internally forprojection have value in the lighting industry, these types of lightfixtures and/or the lighting systems in which they operate all limit theoperator of the lighting system to carrying out image projectionoperations on the basis of individual light fixtures. Moreover, havingto store images at the light fixture is very limiting to the user of thedevice, since the operator must upload images to the light fixture froma computer before placing the light fixture into service.

An example of a type of stage lighting projection system that uses adouble mirror orbital head and a video projector is disclosed inInternational Publication No. WO 02/21832, published Mar. 14, 2002. Thesystem uses an image processor to correct for the expected rotation andother distortion effects that would otherwise result from an imagepassing through the double mirror head. Image data from an image storeis provided to the image processor along a video link. Orientation ofthe double mirror head is effected by a signal from a computercontroller to the head over a DMX link. The controller then directs aDMX processing signal to the image processor, which processes the imagedata so as to introduce a correction for the expected rotation and otherdistortion effects. The controller also directs a DMX signal to the headto effect a desired focus and zoom. The processed image data from theimage processor then is provided via a video link to the imageprojector, so that the image is projected with desired orientation,focus, zoom and appearance. A similar system known as the Catalyst™system is available from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex., and isdescribed in the Catalyst system brochure. While the Catalyst system hasmet with some success, use of the image store is cumbersome andgenerally unfamiliar to many operators of lighting systems, andincreases the setup complexity of the lighting system.

A multiprojector system in which an image is projected by pluralprojectors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,817. The multiprojectorsystem uses a number of “image-inputting” devices, one for each imagethat is to be projected by the projectors. The images to be projectedare furnished to a multiple video processor, from which they aredirected to the projectors. Where an image is to be enlarged andprojected by two, four or more projectors, the image is enlarged in themultiple video processor before being supplied to the projectors.Disadvantageously, the use of multiple image-inputting devices and amultiple video processor is generally unfamiliar to many operators oflighting systems, and increases the setup complexity of the lightingsystem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for a central controller that can more easily program theimage parameter of IPLD lights from the central controller, yet providea wide range of images.

A need exists for a central controller that is compatible withmultiparameter lights with fixed gobo wheels as well as IPLDs withinfinitely variable images, and that is reasonably intuitive to theoperator of the lighting system.

A need exists for a method of programming of the IPLDs by an operatorthat is reasonably expedient and flexible so as to reduce labor time andallow creativity.

A need exists generally to improve the various problems described abovein the “Background” section, as well as other problems in the prior art.

Advantageously, a central controller and lighting system in accordancewith the present invention is capable of operating multiple IPLDs aswell as other types of multi-parameter lights. Advantageously, thestructure of the programming screen is similar to that of earlierprogramming screens to help the operator of the central controller learnquickly. Advantageously, a central controller of the present inventionmay be designed to accommodate any of a variety of digitalcommunications system.

One or more of these perceived needs is/are addressed by each of thevarious embodiments of the present invention. One embodiment of thepresent invention is a method of controlling a lighting system having atleast a plurality of IPLDs, comprising displaying a first plurality ofparameters of a first one of the IPLDs at a central controller, thefirst plurality of parameters including a first image parameterdisplaying a first plurality of images at the central controller; andestablishing at the central controller at least one first image for thefirst image parameter from the first plurality of images.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of controlling alighting system having at least a plurality of IPLDs, comprisingdisplaying a first plurality of parameters of a first one of the IPLDsat a central controller, the first plurality of parameters including afirst image parameter; displaying a first plurality of images at thecentral controller in response to an operator selection of the firstimage parameter; and originating from the central controller at leastone first image for the first image parameter from the first pluralityof images.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising maintaining aplurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller,the parameters for each of the IPLDs including at least one imageparameter; originating a first image from the central controller for afirst one of the IPLDs, the first image being defined by the imageparameter of the first IPLD; and originating a second image from thecentral controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image beingdefined by the image parameter of the second IPLD. The first image andthe second image are different.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising originating afirst image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs;projecting the first image from the first IPLD; originating a secondimage from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, thesecond image being different than the first image; and projecting thesecond image from the second IPLD. The first image and the second imageare selected from a plurality of images stored at the centralcontroller, the plurality of images having have an identifying schemefor operator visualization of the images.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a lighting systemcomprising a plurality of multiparameter lights, including at leastfirst and second image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”); a centralcontroller; and a communications system interconnecting the centralcontroller with the multiparameter lights. The central controllercomprises a memory containing a plurality of images; and a programmablecomponent for selecting a first one of the images for projection by thefirst IPLD and for selecting a second one of the images for projectionby the second IPLD.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising originating afirst image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs,the first image resulting from a crossfade between two different images;projecting the first image from the first IPLD; originating a secondimage from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, thesecond image being different than the first image and resulting from acrossfade between two different images; and projecting the second imagefrom the second IPLD. The first image and the second image arerespectively formed from a crossfade between at least two of a pluralityof images stored at the central controller.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a central controller forcontrolling a lighting system comprising a plurality of image projectionlighting devices (“IPLDs”), each having a plurality of parametersincluding an image parameter. This central controller comprises adisplay screen; a memory containing a plurality of images; a firstprogrammable component for creating a first display on the displayscreen of at least some of the images; a second programmable componentfor forming a first image from the first display, under operatorcontrol, for an image parameter of a first one of the IPLDs; a thirdprogrammable component for creating a second display on the displayscreen of at least some of the images; and a fourth programmablecomponent for forming a second image from the second display, underoperator control, for an image parameter of a second one of the IPLDs.The first image and the second image are different.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of controlling alighting system, the lighting system having a central controller and atleast a plurality of IPLDs and each of the IPLDs having a plurality ofparameters including an image parameter. This method comprises selectinga first one of the IPLDs at the central controller; editing the imageparameter of the first IPLD at the central controller to visualize afirst image on a visual display device of the central controller;establishing a first effect for the first image; visualizing a firstfinal image on the visual display device, the first final imagecomprising the first image with the first effect as being projected bythe first IPLD; selecting a second one of the IPLDs at the centralcontroller; editing the image parameter of the second IPLD at thecentral controller to visualize a second image on the visual displaydevice; establishing a second effect for the second image; andvisualizing a second final image on the visual display device, thesecond final image comprising the second image with the second effect asbeing projected by the second IPLD.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising maintaining aplurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller,the parameters for each of the IPLDs including at least one imageparameter; originating a first image from the central controller for afirst one of the IPLDs, the first image being defined by the imageparameter of the first IPLD; and originating a second image from thecentral controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image beingdefined by the image parameter of the second IPLD. The first image andthe second image are first and second sections of a collage.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller, a plurality offirst-type multiparameter lights having a plurality of parameters exceptfor an image parameter, and a plurality of second-type multiparameterlights having a plurality of parameters including an image parameter.This method comprises varying the parameters for each of the first-typemultiparameter lights at the central controller and varying theparameters for each of the second-type multiparameter lights at thecentral controller. For each of the second-type multiparameter lights,varying the particular image parameter thereof comprises originating afirst image from the central controller for a first scene, the firstimage being defined by the particular image parameter; and originating asecond image from the central controller for a second scene, the secondimage being defined by the particular image parameter.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”). This method comprisesdisplaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at thecentral controller, the parameters including at least one imageparameter; evoking a graphics tool at the central controller in responseto selection of one of the IPLDs by operator action; displaying aplurality of images for the graphics tool at the central controller; andoriginating an image from the central controller for the image parameterof the selected IPLD, in response to operator action with the graphicstool, from the plurality of images.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”). This method comprisesdisplaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at thecentral controller, the parameters including at least one imageparameter; evoking a first graphics tool at the central controller inresponse to selection of a first one of the IPLDs thereof by operatoraction; displaying a plurality of images for the first graphics tool atthe central controller; originating an image from the central controllerfor the image parameter of the first IPLD, in response to operatoraction with the first graphics tool, from the plurality of images;evoking a second graphics tool at the central controller in response toselection of a second one of the IPLDs by operator action; displaying aplurality of images for the second graphics tool at the centralcontroller; and originating an image from the central controller for theimage parameter of the second IPLD, in response to operator action withthe second graphics tool, from the plurality of images for the secondgraphics tool.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of operating alighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality ofimage projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”). This method comprisesdisplaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at thecentral controller, the parameters including at least one imageparameter; evoking a first graphics tool at the central controller inresponse to selection of a first one of the IPLDs by operator action;displaying a plurality of images for the first graphics tool at thecentral controller; originating a first sectional image of a collagefrom the central controller for the image parameter of the first IPLD,in response to operator action with the first graphics tool, from theplurality of images; evoking a second graphics tool at the centralcontroller in response to selection of a second one of the IPLDs byoperator action; displaying a plurality of images for the secondgraphics tool at the central controller, including a second sectionalimage of the collage; and originating a second sectional image of thecollage from the central controller for the image parameter of thesecond IPLD, in response to operator action with the second graphicstool, from the plurality of images for the second graphics tool.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of controlling alighting system comprising a plurality of multiparameter lights,including gobo-type multi-parameter lights and IPLD-type multiparameterlights, controllable from a central controller. This method comprisesstoring at least one image library at the central controller; displayingat the central controller an identifier and a plurality of parametersfor each of the multiparameter lights, wherein the parameters for eachof the IPLD-type multiparameter lights includes an image parameter;displaying an image editor at the central controller in response to anoperator selection of any of the IPLD-type multiparameter lights, theimage editor including an image library area having a plurality ofimages, a mixer area, and an image area; selecting at least two of theplurality of images from the image library in response to an operatoraction; mixing the selected images in the mixer area to obtain an outputimage; displaying the output image in the image area; and transmittingthe output image from the central controller to the IPLD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial drawing of prior art display text on a displayscreen of the central controller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system and centralcontroller, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial drawing of display text on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing image bank 1 for scene1 and the assignment of an image output to that particular image bank,in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing image bank 1 for scene2 and the assignment of another image output to that particular imagebank, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing image bank 2 for scene1 and an assignment of an image output to that particular image bank, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing image bank 2 for scene2 and an assignment of another image output to that particular imagebank, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display including the display elementsof FIG. 8 and further showing a final image window, in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a part schematic, part pictorial drawing showing four IPLDtype lighting devices projecting respective images at a stage, theprojected composite image being a collage of sections that have beencreated from an originating image.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing image bank 3 for scene3 and an assignment of an image output to that particular image bank, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial drawing of a display on a display screen of thecentral controller of FIG. 3, the display showing a collage generatorfor generating a collage from an originating image, in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST MODE

A lighting system includes a central controller and a plurality of imageprojection lighting devices, or “IPLDs.” The central controller ispreferably microprocessor-based and programmable, and includes at leastone visual display device. One type of display at the central controlleris the image parameters for the IPLDs, and this display is used to evokea display of graphics tools at the central controller for originatingimages. Images originating at the central controller are transmitted tothe IPLDs without necessarily being stored in the IPLDs for laterrecall. An image is considered as originating from the centralcontroller if it is created from one or more images selected from aplurality of images displayed in a graphical form at the centralcontroller. Transmission of the image file for the final image may beperformed by or controlled by the central controller. The process ofcreating the final image may, if desired, involve manipulating theselected image or images used to create the final image, by or undercontrol of the central controller. The sources of the selected imagesmay be local to the central controller, such as from a hard drive orother memory of the central controller, from peripherals of the centralcontroller such as a video disk player, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, tapedrive, and so forth, from networked devices such as servers, cameras,and large capacity storage devices, from the Internet, or from anycombination of the foregoing. The central controller is provided withone or more image editors. The image editors include tools for selectingone or more images from one or more image libraries and for manipulatingthe selected image or images in various ways, such as in any one or moreof the following: mixing two or more images, adding special effects,trimming, resizing, and so forth. The outputs of the image editors,which are referred to as “image banks,” are routed to multiplemultiparameter lights (including IPLDs) in accordance with assignmentsmade by the operator of the central controller. The central controllermay have only one visual display device, or may have two or more visualdisplay devices for displaying the image editors and to provide otherinformation and visual feedback to the operator. Suitable visual displaydevices include CRT screens, LCD and TFT screens, personal viewingdevices, display projectors, and other types of devices capable ofshowing information to the operator. The image-editing centralcontroller allows the operator to control all types of multi-parameterlights, including conventional gobo light fixtures as well as IPLDs,from a single point with intuitiveness and expediency, thereby enablingthe operator to be both more productive as well as more creative.

Preferably the central controller is provided with sufficient processingpower and memory capability to store and manipulate a great many imagefiles to the desired degree of resolution. However, in an alternativeembodiment, the image files may be stored on a physically separatecomputer or server that is suitably networked to the central controller.In this alternative embodiment, the full image files or reduced imagefiles are rapidly transmitted to the central controller for selectionand possibly manipulation by the operator using the graphics tools atthe central controller. The final full resolution image may be createdat and transmitted from the central controller, or may be created at andtransmitted from the separate computer or server in accordance withcommands from the central computer based on operator actions with thegraphics tools. The separate computer or server in this alternativeembodiment preferably operates completely transparently to the operator.

The central controller also uses a collage display screen of a collagegenerator to allow the operator to select an image to collage as well asdetermine how many sectional images will be involved in a collage. Theterm “collage” as used herein means a single image made from multipleprojections from IPLDs. The sectional images for the multipleprojections may be any type of images, but preferably images originatingfrom one image library. They may be created by the operator using thecollage generator, or may be predefined. Several IPLDs are collaboratedto project a single image from the several sectional images. Each IPLDprojects a separate sectional image, or a partial image of the finalimage. In this way one very large projection can be made using multiplesectional images from multiple IPLDs. This is an advantage as severalIPLD can act together to project one larger image, and the totalluminous output of the single image is multiplied by the number ofIPLDs.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative lighting system 300 having a novel centralcontroller 310 suitable for operating multiple image editors, and whichmay additionally be provided with many if not all of the same featuresas found in conventional central controllers. The central controller 310has multiple display screens 350 and 375, input devices 345, andkeyboard 340. The central controller 310 illustratively supports twocommunication lines 116 and 316. The communication line 116 along withline 121 link the multiparameter lighting devices 120 and 122, whichillustratively are of the gobo type, to the central controller 310. Thecommunications lines 116 and 121 illustratively are of the DMX type, butcould be other types of control lines. Preferably, line 316 is a highbandwidth line and the communications carried over line 316 is suitablefor use with IPLDs such as IPLDs 320 and 322. A description of multiplecommunication systems for multiparameter lights and the advantagesthereof is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756 entitled “Method andApparatus for Digital Communications with Multiparameter LightFixtures,” which issued Dec. 18, 2001 and hereby is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. A suitable system, method and apparatusfor communicating image content from a central controller to one or moreIPLDs and between IPLDs under control of a central controller aredescribed in my pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/090,926 entitled“Method, Apparatus and System for Image Projection Lighting,” which wasfiled Mar. 4, 2002 and hereby is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Illustratively, multiparameter lights 320 and 322 are of the IPLD type.Communication line 316 communicates with a network hub 318 that in turnrelays communication via lines 319 and 321 to the IPLDs 320 and 322respectively. Communication line 116 extends from the central controller310 to the multiparameter light 120, and communication line 121 extendsbetween the multiparameter light 120 and the multi-parameter light 122.Although the central controller 310 is shown as having two communicationlines 116 and 316 which may use two different communication systems,alternative central controller may be restricted to just onecommunication line, or may be expanded to include more than twocommunication systems or signal lines to various individual or groups oflighting fixtures. For example, each IPLD may, if desired, be linked tothe central controller over a dedicated communications line. Moreover,the lighting system 300 may include other types of lighting devices,including the DMD equipped lighting fixtures with attached camera usedfor following the shape of the performer as disclosed in theaforementioned Hewlett patent.

FIG. 4 shows a condensed version of one of the display screens of thecentral controller 310 of FIG. 3. The display screen (or programmingscreen) 400 of FIG. 4 (illustratively display screen 375 of FIG. 3)illustratively shows scene 1. The display screen 400 integratesdifferent fixture types such as TYPE P1 with predefined gobos and TYPEIPLD 1 with unrestricted images using a light valve. Since the IPLDs areable to project an infinite number of images and are not necessarilypredefined as are the gobos of TYPE P1, the display screen 400 has beensimplified to use “Image Banks” for the image parameter of the IPLDs.The term “image bank” refers to the set of one or more consecutiveimages that is sent to an IPLD from the central controller. The centralcontroller may have several image banks available for the IPLDsdepending on the structure of the IPLD and the communication systemused.

FIG. 4 shows that FIXTURE 3 TYPE IPLD 1 has its image parameter assignedto Image Bank 1, and FIXTURE 4 TYPE IPLD 1 has it image parameterassigned to Image Bank 2. Being a text-base display that is structuredin a manner similar to the display on the screen 200 of FIG. 2, thedisplay screen 400 presents a familiar type of display to the operator,thereby allowing the operator to have a faster learning curve withrespect to the novel aspects of the display screen 400 and other noveldisplays described herein. Advantageously, operators should intuitivelyunderstand how to vary all parameters. It will be appreciated that atext display may, if desired, include icons and other simple suggestivegraphics to assist the operator.

The display screen 400 arises from the set up phase. During the set upphase for the central controller 310, the operator inputs to the centralcontroller the fixture types to be used and the number of each fixturetype. For example, for the lights used in FIG. 4, the operator duringset up, types in two each of TYPE P1 and two each of TYPE IPLD 1. WhenScene 1 is called up for the first time on the text display screen 375(FIG. 3), all the fixture types and number of fixtures are listed.Preferably the parameter values are defaulted to some known expectedvalue; for example, the values for the parameters of FIXTURE 1 TYPE P1might default to Pan 180 degrees, Tilt 180 degrees, Color Position 1,Gobo Position 1, Gobo Rotate 180 degrees, and Intensity 0 percent. Whencreating Scene 1 for the first time, the operator need only adjust the“values” and need not type in anything else. The operator next displaysan image editor for a particular image bank on the graphic displayscreen 350 (FIG. 3) by selecting the particular IPLD of interest, whichillustrative is accomplished by performing a selection event such as amouse click, keyboard code, or oral command for the IPLD of interestsuch as, for example, by clicking on the line “FIXTURE 3 TYPE IPLD 1” orthe line “Image Bank 1” under the line “FIXTURE 3 TYPE IPLD 1.” If theoperator wishes to change the image bank displayed on display screen 350from Image Bank 1 to Image Bank 2, he only need change the “value” ofthe image bank on FIXTURE 3 TYPE IPLD 1 display screen 375. It will beappreciated that the description herein of the specific content, layout,and manner of interacting with the displays 350 and 375 is illustrative,there being many other techniques that are suitable for achieving thesame functionality.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial drawing of a display of a display screen 500(illustratively display screen 350 of FIG. 3) of the central controller310 of FIG. 3. The display screen 500 is an image editor that includesimage mixing functionality. Image mixer programs, which are well knownin the computer graphic arts, let the graphic artist choose from variousimage content for output on to a screen either as single selected imageor as a mixed image. One example of a video mixer is the Motion Dive 3product, which is manufactured by Digital Stage of Japan and isdisclosed at www.motiondive.com. The term “content” is a general termthat refers to various types of works. The term “image” is a generalterm that refers to a wide variety of content type, including continuousvideo images such as movies and animation, graphic effects, and newsprograms, and still images such as still clips, pictures, clip art,sketches, and so forth.

The image editor of the display screen 500 is associated with ImageBank 1. This association is shown at 502 in FIG. 5, and is also shown inthe display screen 400 of FIG. 4 under the heading FIXTURE 3 TYPEIPLD 1. During creation of Scene 1, the operator varies the parametersof the desired fixtures. When the operator selects the IPLD to bevaried, the display screen 500 promptly shows the operator the imageeditor for the selected image bank and for the current scene. In FIG. 5,for example, the display 500 includes a notation at reference numeral502 that the image bank selected is Image Bank 1, and the current sceneis Scene 1.

The image editor display screen 500 shows a main output area 505 of theImage Bank 1. This is what the operator first looks at to determine whatthe selected IPLD image parameter is assigned to. The areas 510 and 512contain images that have been selected from a number of images shownbelow them in areas 530, 532, 534, 536, 538 and 540, which are thumbnailrepresentations of full images contained in an image library. Any of theimages in the image library of an image editor can be visualized by theoperator. The areas 510 and 512 are used to indicate which images fromthe image library are selected and placed into a premixed state, and areherein referred to as premix windows. Images may be selected from theimage library by dragging them into the premix windows with a mouse ortrackball as is well known in the computer arts, or from an input fromone of the input devices of the central controller. For convenience, oneof the premix windows, for example the premix window 510, is referred toas the “A” window and is so designated by screen notation 562. The otherone of the premix windows, for example the premix window 512, isreferred to as the “B” window and is so designated by screen notation564. A graphical bar-shaped “slider” cursor 560C is moved between the“A” and “B” screen notations to vary the amounts of image A and B in thepremix that is sent to the main output window 505. The slider 560C isshown moved to the B notation so that the B image is fully shown on themain output area 505. This image is the image that is available as theImage Bank 1, Scene 1 image when the image parameter of the IPLD isselected to Image Bank 1 on 400 of FIG. 4. It will be appreciated thatthe use of premix windows 510 and 512, the slider cursor 560, and the Aand B notations 562 and 564 are illustrative, and that many differentstyles of controls and notation may be used to perform the premixingfunction. For example, selected images may be indicated by highlightedframes and the amount of premixing may be set by numerical values or bypositioning an indicator within a geographic shape whose vertices aredefined by the number of images selected (a triangle for three images, asquare for four, a pentagon for five, and so forth).

The image library for a particular image bank, for example, images 530,532, 534, 536, 538 and 540 for the Image Bank 1, can be placed into theimage editor by the operator in advance of doing a show and operatingthe fixtures. New images can be added during a show, including imagesacquired from cameras mounted on the IPLDs or even images downloadedfrom the Internet. Although the image library shown in display screen500 of FIG. 5 contains only six images, hundreds of images could be keptin any one image library. Techniques well know in the computer arts maybe used to manage large image libraries, including scrolling andlayering.

Images that are particularly suitable for inclusion in an image libraryinclude stills, video (including movies and animations), and camerastills and movies. The image editor may mix images located in the premixwindows that are still, animated (video) or from a camera. The stillimages may be pictures, graphics, or masks. Identifiers for the type oflibrary image may be in the form of written identification as shownunder the images 530, 532, 534, 536, 538 and 540 in the display screen500 of FIG. 5, or the images may be surrounded by particular borders orcolors corresponding to the type of image. The camera image 540 mayoriginate from a camera connected to the central controller through anysuitable means; for example, the camera image may originate from an IPLDthat contains a camera. The identification scheme for the images in theimage library may include file numbers, address numbers and the likethat make the identification and origination easily determinable to theoperator.

The image library may use any suitable image source such as computerfiles, graphic generators, networked servers and storage devices, thememories of IPLDs in the lighting system, and external inputs to thecentral controller such as cameras, magnetic tape, video disks, videogames, CD-ROM, DVD, or the like. The image library may be set up tocontain images unique to various image banks, as well as images commonto two or more image banks. In this way a complete set of images or achange of some of the images is available for different image banksassigned to different IPLDs.

The central controller 310 uses image data selected by an operator fromthe image library to originate and send images to the IPLDs. It will beappreciated that in addition to originating image data, the centralcontroller 310 may operate in other ways. For example, the centralcontroller 310 may control the routing of an image from one IPLD toanother or from a separate image server to an IPLD while entirelybypassing the central controller 310. When the central controller 310originates an image, the IPLD that is projecting the image need notstore the image, although it may buffer the image for communicationpurposes or for display purposes in a display buffer in a manner wellknown in the art. Buffering may also take place in a communication lineduring an image transfer, as is well known in the communications arts.

Although separate graphics and text display screens 350 and 375respectively are described for the parameter adjustment of the lightingfixtures (400 of FIG. 4) and the image editor (500 of FIG. 5), the twovisual display screens may be combined into one if desired. However,separate screens are believed to be easier for an operator to use.

FIG. 6 shows the same image editor for Image Bank 1 as that shown inFIG. 5, except that the current scene is now Scene 2. In Scene 2, theoperator has moved the slider cursor from 560C (FIG. 5) to 560D (FIG.6). At this location of the slider cursor 560, the premix window 510 “A”and 512 “B” have their images mixed together to form a mixed image. Theresultant mixed image is shown in the main output area 605, and thismixed image is the one available at the image parameter of the IPLD withImage Bank 1 selected for Scene 2. Scene 2 is displayed as 602 of thedisplay screen 600 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 display screen 700 shows the image editor for Image Bank 2Scene 1. If we refer back to FIG. 4 display screen 400, we see thatFIXTURE 4 TYPE IPLD 1 has its image parameter assigned to Image Bank 2.When fixture 4 is selected, the visual display such as 350 of FIG. 3promptly shows the image editor for Image Bank 2 (image editor displayscreen 700 of FIG. 7). This can be done any time an IPLD fixture isselected by the operator for editing the parameters, or just for viewingthe current status of the parameters. Another way is for the visualdisplay such as 350 of FIG. 3 to promptly show the image editor onlywhen the actual image parameter is being adjusted. This may leave thevisual display that displays the image editor open to display otherfunctions. In the preferred version, the display such as 350 of FIG. 3shows the image editor for the selected image bank as soon as the IPLDfixture is selected by the operator.

The image library of the image editor of Image Bank 2 shown as 700 inFIG. 7 has library images 725, some of which are different than theimages of the image editor of Image Bank 1. Illustrative library images730, 732, 734, 736, 738 and 740 are shown. The library image 730 hasbeen dragged or dropped to premix “A” window 710. The library image 740has been dragged or dropped to premix “B” window 712. A slider cursor760C is moved away from the window A mix point 762 and towards thewindow B mix point 764. Thus the image contained in premix window 712 isshown in the main output area 705. Indication 702 shows that the imageeditor is for Scene 1 Image Bank 2. This means the image shown in themain output area 705 of 700 of FIG. 7 is the image that represents ImageBank 2, which is the image parameter of the IPLD fixture 4 as shown indisplay screen 400 of FIG. 4.

A display screen 800 of FIG. 8 shows the same Image Bank 2 as shown inFIG. 7 except that the current scene is now Scene 2. In Scene 2 theslider cursor 760D has been moved away from the mix point 764 (B) of thepremix window 712 and towards the mix point 762 (A) of the premix window710. This results in the image contained in the premix window 710 beingthe main output image of main output area 805. So for Scene 2, ImageBank 2 contains the image of area 805. Indicator 802 shows that Scene 2Image Bank 2 is displayed on the image editor.

The image from the Image Bank (the operator selects an image bank tovary the image parameter of an IPLD) can be further modified at thecentral controller, or preferably modified at the IPLD, or both. Forexample and as shown in display screen 400 of FIG. 4 under FIXTURE 3TYPE IPLD 1 an image rotate parameter is shown. If an image from theimage bank selected for the particular IPLD is commanded to rotate bythe operator of the central controller, the rotation of the image canoccur at the projecting IPLD. This means than many variations andspecial effects can occur from the original image bank image at theprojecting IPLDs. Many IPLDs can project the same image as received fromthe image parameter Image Bank 2 but the resultant image as projected bythe IPLDs can look different, as each one may have different specialeffects added.

Since the image from an image bank can be further manipulated withspecial effects preformed locally at the projecting IPLD, many variancesof the original image can be commanded by the operator of the centralcontroller. It would however be an advantage to the operator of thecentral controller to be able to visualize the effects that have beenadded to the image from the image bank on a particular IPLD on thecentral controller. Preferably, this would involve an additional area inthe image editor, or someplace on the central controller that displaysthe final image as projected by the IPLD with the addition of theadditional effects that have been commanded by the central controller.The effect “Image Rotate” for example has been shown as one effect forthe TYPE 1 IPLD as shown in the programming display screen 400 (FIG. 4)for FIXTURE 3 and for FIXTURE 4. The number of effects listed forcontrol by the operator on the display screen 400 of FIG. 4 TYPE IPLD 1has been simplified to just “Image Rotate” for ease of understanding.Many other effects can be preformed on the image assigned to the imageparameter at the IPLD as commanded by the operator of the centralcontroller. The effects can be preformed by processing at the centralcontroller or at the IPLD. Some other examples of effects useful formanipulating an image are magnify, blur, colorize, distort, andpixelate, these effects being well known in the art of video mixers andspecial effect generators. Moreover, the manipulation of images storedin memory of an IPLD also is known in the art. The display screen 900 ofFIG. 9 shows essentially the same components as display screen 800 ofFIG. 8 with the addition of a final image area 915 and additionaldescriptive text 918. The final image area 915 allows the operatorprogramming a selected IPLD on the central controller to visualize theimage from the main output window 805 that is used by the IPLD with theadditional effects that are added at the selected IPLD itself ascommanded by the operator of the central controller. While the mainoutput window 805 may be eliminated when the final image area 915 isdisplayed, its inclusion may facilitate editing by allowing the operatorto see the editing results free of the additional effects.

Many suitable techniques may be used to end up with a final image shownat the central controller when adding effects to an image originatingfrom the central controller. One way is to have the central controllermimic the effects added to the image that are being preformed at theIPLD and show the final image. In this technique, whatever effects arecommanded by the operator of the central controller for the particularIPLD to be preformed on the main output image from the image bank areduplicated by the central controller, and the end result image displayedin the final image area. FIG. 9 shows the final image area 915illustratively called by notation 918 on the display screen 900 “FinalImage.” This image is rotated 90 degrees from the main output area 805.The text 918 shows that the Image Rotate parameter is being used torotate the main output image shown in the area 805 by 90 degrees.

The central controller may also be used to form a collage, and providesa collage display screen to allow the operator to select an image tocollage as well as determine which and how many sectional images andwhich IPLDs are to be involved in making the collage. FIG. 10 shows animage 1004 of a circled star as an example. The circled star image 1004is divided into four parts, namely 1021, 1022, 1023 and 1021. Theprojected image section 1021 of the circled star is projected by IPLD1011. The projected image section 1022 of the circled star is projectedby IPLD 1012. The projected image section 1023 of the circled star isprojected by IPLD 1013. The projected image section 1024 of the circledstar is projected by IPLD 1014. The image 1004 is shown projected abovea stage 1008, which illustratively may be a sound stage or theatrestage.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the image bank that would be assigned to,say, IPLD 1013 of FIG. 10. The image editor display screen 1100 forImage Bank 3 is similar to the other image editor screens such as 500 ofFIGS. 5 and 900 of FIG. 9. The image editor main output area for ImageBank 3 is indicated by the reference numeral 1105. The informationaltext on the display screen 1100 indicates Scene 3 of Image Bank 3. Scene3 in this case is the scene that creates the projected image of thecircled star 1004 that is shown projected by the IPLD devices 1011,1012, 1013, and 1014 in FIG. 10. The final output image shown in themain output area 1105 of FIG. 11 is the same image that is projected byIPLD 1013 of FIG. 10, which is the projected image section 1023.

The output image 1105 has been determined by the operator by firstselecting the original image 1130 from the image library 1125 of FIG.11. The image library 1125 contains a number of images, includingcollage sectional images 1130 and 1132. Collage sectional images 1130and 1132 are labeled “C Sec 3” and “C Sec 4” respectively; “C Sec”designates “collage section.” While the image library 1125 may alsoinclude the collage sectional images for the upper two quadrants(illustratively not shown in FIG. 11 because the operator has notscrolled far enough through the library to see them), these sectionalimages may be stored in another image library if desired. Next theoperator places the image in the premix window 1110 by any suitableinput device. Since the slider cursor 1160D is positioned towards the“A” premix window 1110 at point 1162, the final output area displaysonly the image 1130.

Also shown in FIG. 11 is the premix window 1112 and mix point 1164. Theimage shown in premix window 1112 also is obtained from the image 1140in the image library 1125.

Collage sectional images may be predefined or may be created by theoperator on the central controller using a collage generator display. Anillustrative collage generator display 1202 is shown in FIG. 12. Thecollage generator preferably can alter any image originating at thecentral controller to be created as a collage. Here we can see how tocreate the partial images of the circled star projected to form oneimage from IPLDs 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1014 (FIG. 10). First the operatorselects by an input device, illustratively one of the controls 345 ofthe central controller 310 in FIG. 3, to display the collage generatorscreen 1202. The Collage Generator screen 1202 of FIG. 12 includes acollage output area 1285. The kind of collage desired by the operatorpreferably is selected from a list 1286 of various types, although itmay be manually designated or selected from a collection of icons, or inany other desired manner. The collage generator can create manydifferent types of collages, but for clarity only a few types are shownin the list 1286. In the case of FIG. 12, the “4 output tile” style ofcollage is selected. The operator selects which image to be collagedfrom the image library 1225 (which may be the same as image library 1125or may be different) by dragging (or other type of input device) theimage to be collaged to the collage output area 1285. In the case ofFIG. 12, the circled star 1230 image is chosen to be placed in thecollage output area 1285. Since the “4 output tile” style was selectedfrom collage type select list 1286, the circled star is divided intofour sections. Each section of the image in the collage output area 1285is labeled as Section 1, Section 2, Section 3 and Section 4, andpreferably the image library is automatically updated by the addition ofthese sectional images. Preferably, the section numbers in the collageoutput area 1285 of FIG. 12 are also used to identify the sectionalcollage images placed into the Image Library 1125 for Image Bank 3 shownin the image editor display screen 1100 of FIG. 11. For example, Section3 of area 1285 of FIG. 12 is shown in the image library 1125 of FIG. 11as 1130 and is labeled “C Sec 3,” and Section 4 of area 1285 of FIG. 12is shown in the Image Library 1125 of FIG. 11 as 1132 and is labeled “CSec 4.”

For ease of operation during programming or editing of the centralcontroller, the operator may inquire about a collage sectional imagelocated in an image library of an image bank by clicking on the collagesectional image itself (or by using any input device) to bring up thecollage generator display that created that particular image. Forexample, if the operator clicks on the sectional image 1130 located inthe image library 1125 of the image editor display screen 1100, thecollage generator display 1202 is brought up for review.

The collage generator may be provided with a variety of additionalfunctions. For example, suitable manipulation of an image to be placedinto the collage output area of the collage generator display mayinclude stretching the image or squeezing the image in differentdirections to obtain a best fit into the collage output area. Techniquesfor performing manipulations of images such as stretching and squeezingare well known in the computer graphic arts. Varying the proportions ofan image by stretching and squeezing allows images to be placed intocollage output windows that normally would have not fit because theyoriginally did not have the correct aspect. Also the images may becropped or trimmed as known in the art to fit a collage output area.

The description of the invention and its applications as set forthherein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims. Variations andmodifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible, andpractical alternatives to and equivalents of the various elements of theembodiments are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. These andother variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

1-62. (cancelled)
 63. A stage lighting controller for controlling aplurality of multiparameter lights, a first plurality thereof havinggobo wheels and a second plurality thereof having light valves,comprising: a visual display device for displaying a first set ofadjustable parameters of the first plurality of multiparameter lightsand a second set of adjustable parameters of the second plurality ofmultiparameter lights, the first set of adjustable parameters includinga mechanical gobo parameter, and the second set of adjustable parametersincluding an electronic image parameter; an input device responsive tooperator control for selecting and varying the mechanical gobo parameterof the first set of adjustable parameters and the electronic imageparameter of the second set of adjustable parameters; a communicationsystem for remotely controlling the multiparameter lights in accordancewith the first and second sets of adjustable parameters; an imagelibrary comprising a plurality of electronic images, the image librarybeing responsive to operator control for furnishing at least a portionof a first electronic image to the visual display device as a firstdisplay image; and a programmable component for furnishing the firstelectronic image to the communication system for projection from atleast one multiparameter light in the second plurality of multiparameterlights.
 64. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 wherein the firstdisplay image is a thumbnail image of the first electronic image. 65.The stage lighting controller of claim 64 wherein the thumbnail image isa representation of a video.
 66. The stage lighting controller of claim64 wherein the thumbnail image is a representation of a still image 67.The stage lighting controller of claim 64 wherein the thumbnail image isa representation of a camera image.
 68. The stage lighting controller ofclaim 63 wherein the second set of adjustable parameters furtherincludes a pan parameter and a tilt parameter.
 69. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 68 wherein the first set of adjustable parametersfurther includes a pan parameter and a tilt parameter.
 70. The stagelighting controller system of claim 63 further comprising an imageeditor having access to the image library.
 71. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 63 further comprising an image editor responsive tooperator selection of one of the image parameters for accessing theimage library.
 72. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 wherein theimage library is further responsive to operator control for furnishingat least a portion of a second electronic image to the visual displaydevice as a second display image for mixing with the first display imageto produce a mixed image on the visual display device.
 73. The stagelighting controller of claim 63 wherein the first display image is aresultant image.
 74. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 whereinthe first display image is a final image.
 75. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 63 wherein the image library is further responsiveto operator control for furnishing at least a portion of a thirdelectronic image to the visual display device and the first and thirdimages are collage components of a collage image.
 76. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 63 wherein the communication system is a multiplecommunications system comprising a first communications system forremotely controlling the first plurality of multiparameter lights, and asecond communication system for remotely controlling the secondplurality of multiparameter lights.
 77. The stage lighting controller ofclaim 76 wherein the first communication system is a DMX communicationsystem.
 78. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 further comprisinga hub, the hub being a component of the second communication system. 79.A stage lighting system comprising: a first plurality of multiparameterlights, each comprising a light valve for projection of an electronicimage upon a stage, and further comprising pan, tilt, effect and imageparameters; a central controller comprising a visual display device; anda communication system for handling communications between the centralcontroller and the first plurality of multiparameter lights; wherein thecentral controller comprises: a programmable component for visualizingat least a portion of a first electronic image on the visual displaydevice; a programmable component for controlling projection of the firstelectronic image upon a stage by a first multiparameter light of thefirst plurality of multiparameter lights; and a programmable componentfor controlling a first effect parameter of the first multiparameterlight to create a second electronic image from the first electronicimage locally by the first multiparameter light using the first effectparameter thereof.
 80. The stage lighting system of claim 79 wherein thecentral controller further comprises a programmable component forvisualizing at least a portion of the second electronic image on thevisual display device
 81. The stage lighting system of claim 80 whereinthe central controller further comprises: a programmable component forcontrolling a second effects parameter of the first multiparameter lightto create a third electronic image from the second electronic imagelocally by the first multiparameter light using the second effectparameter thereof; and a programmable component for visualizing at leasta portion of the third electronic image on the visual display device.82. The stage lighting system of claim 79 wherein the visual displaydevice of the central controller is a touch screen display device. 83.The stage lighting system of claim 79 further comprising: a secondplurality of multiparameter lights, each lacking a light valve; whereinthe communication system further handles communications between thecentral controller and the second plurality of multiparameter lights.84. The stage lighting system of claim 83 wherein the communicationsystem comprises at least one network hub.
 85. The stage lighting systemof claim 83 wherein the communication system comprises twocommunications systems, at least one of the two communication systemsbeing a DMX communications system.
 86. A stage lighting systemcomprising: a plurality of image projection lighting devices; a centralcontroller comprising a visual display; wherein each of the plurality ofimage projection lighting devices comprises pan, tilt, effect and imageparameters and is controllable by the central controller forindividually varying the pan, tilt, effect and image parameters; whereinthe visual display is controllable by the central controller fordisplaying at least a portion of a first electronic image; wherein afirst one of the plurality of image projection lighting devices iscontrollable by the central controller to perform a first effect to thefirst electronic image to create a second electronic image; and whereina second one of the plurality of image projection lighting devices iscontrollable by the central controller to perform a second effect to thefirst electronic image to create a third electronic image.
 87. The stagelighting system of claim 86 wherein the first effect and the secondeffect are different, whereby the second electronic image and the thirdelectronic image are different.
 88. The stage lighting system of claim86 wherein the first effect and the second effect are essentiallyidentical, whereby the second electronic image and the third electronicimage are essentially identical.
 89. The stage lighting system of claim86 wherein the portion of the first electronic image is displayed by thevisual display as a thumbnail.
 90. The stage lighting system of claim 86wherein the first effect is rotate and the second effect is rotate. 91.The stage lighting system of claim 86 wherein the first effect ismagnify.
 92. The stage lighting system of claim 86 wherein the firsteffect is blur.
 93. The stage lighting system of claim 86 wherein thefirst effect is colorize.
 94. The stage lighting system of claim 86wherein the first effect is distort.
 95. The stage lighting system ofclaim 86 wherein the first effect is pixelate.
 96. The stage lightingsystem of claim 86 wherein the central controller further comprises animage library having a plurality of electronic images, the firstelectronic image originating from the image library.
 97. The stagelighting system of claim 86 wherein the first image projection lightingdevice comprises memory, the first electronic image originating from theimage projection lighting device memory.
 98. A stage lighting controllercomprising: an image library comprising a plurality of electronicimages; a visual display device for displaying at least a portion of afirst one of the electronic images from the image library for projectionon a stage, and at least a portion of a second one of the electronicimages from the image library for projection on the stage, the first andsecond electronic images being sections of a third electronic image; afirst image projection lighting device having variable pan, tilt andimage parameters; a second image projection lighting device havingvariable pan, tilt and image parameters; and a communication systemcoupled to the first and second image projection lighting devices forcommunicating pan, tilt and image parameter data thereto, the imageparameter data for the first image projection lighting device includingthe first electronic image, and the image parameter data for the secondimage projection lighting device including the second electronic image;wherein the first electronic image projected by the first imageprojection lighting device and the second electronic image projected bythe second lighting device visually form the third electronic image onthe stage.
 99. The stage lighting controller of claim 98 wherein thefirst and second electronic images are video images.
 100. The stagelighting controller of claim 98 wherein the first and second electronicimages are movie images.
 101. The stage lighting controller of claim 98wherein the first and second electronic images are still images.
 102. Astage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of imageprojection lighting devices comprising: a first image library comprisinga plurality of electronic images; a second image library comprising aplurality of electronic images; a visual display device for displayingat least portions of the electronic images from the first and secondimage libraries; a communication system for communicating pan, tilt andimage parameters to the plurality of image projection lighting devices;and an input device for allowing an operator to select an image fromeither the first or second plurality of electronic images to beprojected by one of the plurality of image projection lighting devices.103. The stage lighting controller of claim 102 wherein the portions ofthe electronic images are thumbnail images.
 104. A stage lightingcontroller for controlling a plurality of image projection lightingdevices, the controller comprising a processor and a storage mediumaccessible to the processor, wherein the storage medium comprisesexecutable code for: displaying to an operator a first thumbnail imagewith a likeness of an image to be projected by a first image projectionlighting device; displaying to the operator parameter values for pan,tilt and image rotation for the first image projection lighting device;displaying to the operator a second thumbnail image with a likeness ofan image to be projected by a second image projection lighting device;displaying to the operator parameter values for pan, tilt and imagerotation for the second image projection lighting device; receivinginput commands from the operator; and adjusting the pan, tilt and imagerotation parameters of the first and second image projection lightingdevices in response to the operator input commands.
 105. The stagelighting controller of claim 104 further comprising an image librarycontaining a plurality of electronic images, the first thumbnail imagebeing a likeness of a first one of the electronic images, and the secondthumbnail image being a likeness of a second one of the electronicimages.
 106. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 furthercomprising a visual display device for displaying to the operator thefirst thumbnail image, the parameter values for pan, tilt and imagerotation for the first image projection lighting device, the secondthumbnail image, and the parameter values for pan, tilt and imagerotation for the second image projection lighting device, the visualdisplay device having a touch screen for receiving operator inputcommands.
 107. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 furthercomprising a visual display device for displaying to the operator thefirst thumbnail image and the second thumbnail image, wherein at leastone of the first and second thumbnail images is a final image.
 108. Thestage lighting controller of claim 104 further comprising a visualdisplay device for displaying to the operator the first thumbnail imageand the second thumbnail image, wherein at least one of the first andsecond thumbnail images is a resultant image.
 109. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 104 further comprising a visual display device,wherein the storage medium further comprises executable code fordisplaying to the operator on the visual display device the first andsecond thumbnail images in an image editor.
 110. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 104 further comprising a visual display device,wherein the storage medium further comprises executable code fordisplaying to the operator parameter values of color and intensity andthe visual display device displays the parameter values of color andintensity for the first image projection lighting device.
 111. A stagelighting controller for a first plurality of multi-parameter stagelights containing respective light valves for forming projected images,and a second plurality of multiparameter stage lights not containing anylight valves, comprising; an input device; and a controller havingoperable components for displaying: a first thumbnail image with alikeness of an image to be projected by a first one of the firstplurality of multiparameter stage lights; a first set of parametervalues for pan, tilt and image rotation for the first multiparameterstage light; a second thumbnail image with a likeness of an image to beprojected by a second one of the first plurality of multiparameter stagelights; and a second set of parameter values for pan and tilt for thesecond multiparameter stage light; and wherein the controller isresponsive to operator input via the input device for varying the firstand second set of parameter values.
 112. The stage lighting controllerof claim 111 further comprising: a first visual display device fordisplaying the first and second set of parameters; and a second visualdisplay device for displaying the first and second thumbnail images.113. The stage lighting controller of claim 111 further comprising avisual display device for displaying the first and second set ofparameters and the first and second thumbnail images.
 114. The stagelighting controller of claim 113 wherein the visual display device is atouch screen display device.
 115. The stage lighting controller of claim111 wherein the first thumbnail image is a likeness of a camera image.116. The stage lighting controller of claim 111 wherein the firstthumbnail image is a likeness of a section of a montage image.
 117. Thestage lighting controller of claim 111 wherein the first thumbnail imageis a likeness of a movie image.
 118. The stage lighting controller ofclaim 111 wherein the first thumbnail image is a likeness of a stillimage.
 119. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality ofmultiparameter stage lights comprising: an image library comprising aplurality of electronic images; a visual display for displaying: a firstthumbnail representing a likeness of a first one of the electronicimages from the image library for projection on a stage by a firstmultiparameter light using a light valve, and a second thumbnailrepresenting a likeness of a second one of the electronic images fromthe image library for projection on a stage by a second multiparameterlight using a light valve; and an input device for varying parameters ofpan, tilt and image rotation for the first and second multiparameterlights.
 120. The stage lighting controller of claim 119 wherein thevisual display is further for displaying: a first value of a mechanicalgobo position for a third multiparameter light; and a second value of amechanical gobo position for a fourth one of the multiparameter lights.121. The stage lighting controller of claim 119 wherein the visualdisplay is further for displaying a third thumbnail image, the thirdthumbnail image being a crossfaded image comprising a likeness of atleast a portion each of any two of the plurality of electronic libraryimages.
 122. The stage lighting controller of claim 121 wherein thevisual display is further for displaying a graphic representative of avalue of the crossfaded image.
 123. A stage lighting controller forcontrolling a plurality multiparameter lighting fixtures comprising: aninput device; a first display device for displaying a plurality offixture types, wherein: a first one of the fixture types is imageprojection lighting device; and a second one of the fixture types ismechanical gobo light; an input device for operator selection of one ofthe fixture types; and a second visual display device for displaying animage representing an image parameter in response to operator selectionof the first fixture type with the input device.
 124. The stage lightingcontroller of claim 123 wherein the image displayed by the second visualdisplay device is a library image.
 125. The stage lighting controller ofclaim 123 wherein the image displayed by the second visual displaydevice is a resultant image.
 126. The stage lighting controller of claim123 wherein the image displayed by the second visual display device is acrossfaded image.
 127. The stage lighting controller of claim 123wherein the image displayed by the second visual display device is afinal image.